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ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A former senior civil servant has said the Government of the Virgin Islands should have asked expatriate school children to leave the Territory following the hurricanes of September 2017 to ease the burden on the Territory's education sector until it was in a position to welcome them back.

The issues of school children have been the subject of debate recently, following numberous incidents of fights and other unacceptable behaviour by them in public, some of which were caught on video. The Tortola Pier Park (TPP) even went as far as banning children of a certain age from the facility.

Minister for Education Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) recently said Elmore Stoutt High School students were wreaking havoc in Road Town and that Government was working to end the shift system which had to be put in place due to the lack of space at the old Clarence Thomas Building in Pasea Estate, which is being used to temporarily house students after Hurricane Irma destroyed the ESHS building in Road Town on September 6, 2017.

Mr Carl Dawson, a retired civil servant, social commentator and businessman, shared his views on how the situation of school chidlren should have been handled, while a guest on the Speak Out BVI radio show, aired Tuesday January 16, 2018 on ZBVI 780 AM and hosted by Mr Doug Wheatley.

According to Mr Dawson, “All those children who are here specifically to come to school and are not nationals, some of their own countries ask for them, but they are still here. We as a leadership, as a government in crisis, should have asked them and assisted them in going. They should have then asked the BVIslanders who could send their children abroad for education in the meantime while they put the pieces together. In my opinion, we would’ve ended up with, say about half of the children that we have."

Mr Dawson said Government needed to make bold decisions about addressing the issue of school children following the hurricanes.

"We are not forcing anybody into any corner. We just saying when we are able to look after ourselves later we would invite you to come back. Instead of doing that we try to force all the children them {into the schools], as you said, and we end up with a big fiasco."

According to Mr Dawson, a former Permanent Secretary, playing politics in a time of crisis would only lead to disaster.

"Some of those outside children are nationals. Those children who are nationals, apart from the dress and the song, would begin to understand that nationality has meaning, significant meaning. We missed the boat on that by just playing politics."

Meanwhile, one caller to the radio show alleged that the school children engaging in anti-social behaviours were mainly children of expats.

89 Responses to “Expatriate students should have been asked to leave after hurricanes- Carl Dawson”

You people have no conscience. The gentleman is absolutely correct. The schools physically cannot accommodate all the students it once had. Many of our schools are destroyed. WE JUST DONT PHYSICALLY HAVE THE SPACE. In a case like this local students must come first. There is nothing wrong with asking expats to relocate their children until we are in a better position to accommodate them. THIS IS SIMPLY COMMON SENSE.

At a time like this, desperation will only bring out what is deep in the heart. If only Jesus Christ had said that he would only die for believers, we the gentiles would have been a lost cause. Love cannot be found where it doesn't exist....so the the hatred towards outsiders will only keep on coming out in this perilous time.

Yes, and the expatriate parents who stayed and helped to clean up this place would have gone with them. Mr. Dawson, a lot of people sent their kids back home after the storm to allow the parents and the country to try to catch itself. A lot of BVI children also evacuated to U.S, UK or Canada while they too are not citizens to those countries either. We got to stop our behavior as if BVI is the top of the world and stop emptying our noses on other people who are not from here. People like you think you have the answer to the country's problems when we see you every day fill the garbage bins with the boxes from the supermarket without even compacting them before you take them down to the incinerator. Please have a seat

Those children who went to UK or US from BVI would have either a US passport or UK passort garaunteed. otherwise they couldn't get into the school system there...not asking u i'm telling u what I know. Not sure why u even mention them at all.

It is the rxpats from a specific group who need to stop " behaviour that the BVI is top of the world": and tha leaving would be armageddon. Local BVislanders were the victims with no alternate solution. How can others take from the litlle in the BVI is merciless.How could they stand in line with no shame or expectation that what was availabl would be issued to these most in need...the locals!!! Should have been arrested.. That is criminal behaviour..arrested and deported to their land of plenty is what should have rightfully taken place.

Every country in this world looks out for their citizens first. It’s not only about the school children, this country needs Labour and Immigration reform desperately. When the BVI looks out for BVIslanders they are “emptying their noses on other people “. That is not the case. The country is definitely in crisis, half of the expats need to go back home or elsewhere until the country gets back on its feet. The statistics show that more than 50% of the people living in the BVI are expats. Do you think that the money that they make stays in the BVI? No, it is exported. Therefore, let them go, so that BVIsladers can build back their country.

So Mr. Carl, when you ask these people to leave the territory, you are also asking their parents (Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, CEOs, etc.) to leave also? This issue of students misbehaving has gone to a point of ridiculousness; this should not be something for the government to handle. This all boils down to home training and parents being friends with their child/children. I've come to realize we as a society like to push our problems onto others - the ones who were out of control before the hurricanes should be dealt with swiftly, and those who are now acting up should be deeply looked into.

This person should shut his trap up because he keep back a lot of children when he were in position to help. I can testify to it because he refuse my son a scholarship I put up my land and get a loan for he to finish his education and today he have a top job with the federal government in the USA. Sorry to say this problem is still going on a large scale and that is why some of them do not return when they get treat like dogs from their own people and government . So please keep off the children you do not have to feed them because you do not give bones to dogs.

For chrisssake. A lil tiny tiny country falls victim to a disaster of the century. Resources become non existent to minimal. More than half of the inhabitants are from countries not affected by the disaster. Where do you all house your heart and conscience to not give the locals a chance at survival? Why can't you ease up off the parasitic behaviour return home and allow the locals access to their limited resources.Maan there is no end to my amazement at human depravity..

Mr Dawson i fully agree. Expats remaining after the offered evacuations should have been able to.manage with their own resources. Those who couldn't and chose to become govt reliant should have been forcibly and permanently deported . In addition to being morally deficient,they violated immigration rules.

Would they have included those children born here of expatriate parents?Mr Dawson I have always respected you but as of now? Let me say this, there are three votes in my house, several cousins, sister and nieces if you are running next election , they aren't much but any party you run for, those votes will go the other way. I truly hope that other expat parents who are able to vote and their adult children do the same.

Everybody is picking on the weak and vanurable. Maybe becauae they are weak themselves.. What happen to Cable TV and Rite Way workers. Imaging Labour is telling companies pay the wprkers for unfair dismisal and their over time and they refused...Where is the bold leadership.. Why are they so scared to touch powerful people but enjoy beating up on the innocent and the Vanurable.. These things could never and would never happen under a Frazer leadership.... Straight talk.. Them too weak...

Tiotalky agreed mr Dawson .. we cannot help ourselves much less the extra burden .. why are we still allowing permits for jobs like hairdressers , housekeepers , bat keepers ? The ones here should be allowed to stay and bring no one else ..
there are expats still in shelters .. why aren't they leaving until the place is back better ?
Our government is stretching trying to accommodate others and can't help their own ..
they need to leave and return when the place is better

And they all sit and talk about Donald trump ,well Mr Dawson the same expats that you used all your life as your servants and the same expats that you will have to use to re construct your properties they should really leave your country, you should put up a sign at the front door of your business staring no expats are welcomed or is that too much because the money that the expats spends says in God we trust which is US currency which is also an expat currency not BVI or UK currency ,this country that I was born and raised into Tortola British Virgin Islands the melting pot of the Caribbean we were so blessed in this country for such a long time but because of people like Mr Carl Dawson who deeply believe that the enemy of our country is the people who supports his businesses and pay his mortgages by renting his apartments and being good citizens of this British Virgin Islands but my expat brothers and sisters of the Caribbean the weak people of the world always find others who they believe are weaker than them to blame for all their problems in life and history has lots to show for it ,Adolph Hittler did it ,look at what was done to Nelson Mandella and what Donald Trump is trying to do to minorities in America and around the world but history have a way of proving them wrong . It's up to you my expat brothers and sisters but this is what us as a people of the BVI has to take into consideration since the work force of the territory is 70% expats it means that they pay the most taxes
They pay the most social security
They pay the most NHI
They buy the most groceries
They rent the most of Mr Dawson's apartments , my expat brothers and sisters it's time to sit and think and you decide if it really worth what you have to endure because of people exactly like Donald Trump .

Their massive brood of children are also in the BVI getting free education.
They are frequent customers of the health system.
They overpopulated the prison at a yearly cost of $35, 000. Per country man/ woman
They make up the majority lifers in prison.
They have contributed to a rising crime rate.
Seven murders in 2017 in a country known for its lack of crime,
Suicide is a cultural norm,mostly after committing a heinous murder involving attempt at decapitation.
They are notorious looters,
The yearly August Celebration has been disaffected by violence and lewdness.
The quality of life in the VI has declined as a result.
Of all the hundreds of nationalities given the pleasure and permission to earn a living and to reside in the BVI, one location and only one location of the globe has been the contributor of the aforementioned grievances imposed on the generosity and hospitality of the VI and it's people,
Nothing to think or sit about frankly.
BVI, it is not worth it.

POTUS Trump is the devil while in people's of the Caribbean yard and backyard, caribbean folks practice racism as the way of life...AfroCaribbean and Indo Caribbean issues..Haitian lynchings..and they are all descendants of slaves which makes it even more pathetic. In the VI no matter your hair, dark or light skin, you will see employees in all positions. Bank employees receptionists airline employees doctors engineers anybody can do their thing. This could account for the agressive and bizarre efforts to be grabbing and demanding and ignoring the VI locals who are all Afro Caribbean. There is the unspoken vibe that VI locals ,their needs,presence, culture,expectations,laws are to be ignored. Racism in places such as Trinidad,Jamaica,Guiana,Dominican Republic,Central America and South America is a million times worse than the USA. Trump and his peeps are Saints in comparison.

As said there are 3 persons with the name sounding like Carl Dawson on island and (1) Carl Dawson the man in this story; (2) Dr. Karl Dawson former dean of HLSCC who ran for election; and (3) another Dr. Karl Dawson who is at Eureka. All three are entirely different persons. Who knows there may be an other Carl or Karl Dawson that I missed from that list so please be careful when we attack - you may have the wrong person.

Read what the man said in its entirety. He said many countries offered help to their fellow citizens to get them out and they didnt leave. He also said locals who couldve get their kids out shouldve done so as well. There is nothing wrong with what he said but as usual the headline grabbers strike again.

So where do you think all that aid came from? So who organzed all those benefits? Oh I know must have been those locals who live abroad. Oh wait that makes them expats there too. My friends my relatives my countrymen sent to the BVI. All of it all of us. Just publish some of these responses and see what you get from those damn foreigners next time.

Is the same expats children who use to shop the most at he superette and only expatriates he could have get to work for he Mr Dawson you need to stop your nonsense, the world is civilized now. When you were education minister you hold back a lot of us and we have all gotten our PHD's without your help

I am puzzled. Is it children who born here to expats parents or children who born elsewhere to born here parents and those who born here with born here parents. Quite confusing isn't it. At the end of the day ALL should be treated equally. Look around you would realize those who were "born here" or elsewhere to "born here parents" left. We need to stop this crap when rain fall or sun shine we all getting affected. When Irma and Maria came ALL of us got affected. In building a better and stronger BVI it takes ALL not just born here. This was a wake up for the BVI and clearly some people still sleeping. WAKE UP BVI and TURN from your ways and SEEK God's face

You people are very ignorant. We cannot accommodate all expats because we are not in a position to do so. All children cannot be treated equally because we just don't have the space. If you people can't understand simple logic we don't need you here because it is obvious you don't have our country at heart. You really need to be Concerned about the stability of the BVI and not your own self interest.

I did not waste my time to read some of these comments.
The man have every right to speak.. and what he says is a fact.
First of all why you all come to the BVI for.. you all reap the good.. and now it bad..
Now when fox did t get the grapes he says it sour.
The country is in a state.. and still greed make you all want more.
Every country have laws.. But we must not have ... and if a man cannot speak in his own country... then where can he do.

To those haters that wish us for more cat 5 this year.. bless your wicked minds.

It's ok to call in the expats and praise them up when you're in trouble and need help . We came here willingly to help out with your power situation and it's disheartening to hear you locals bash people that are not from here. We are all one people believe it or not

Last time I checked at three schools most of the students are belongers.....the expats are children of expat teachers.......if the students leave the parents will also.....please be careful how you phrase your comments.... I wish like myself....that all non nationals would leave the Virgin Islands...then and only then we will see the TRUTH

The nationals from the regions that are the sole contributors to crime, would do the BVI a service if they left. BVI is not in short supply of expats who are positive members of the community and contribute positively. Immigration is not doing what immigration is supposed to be doing.

Who he's calling expatriates children. I hope it's not children who born here and parent's not from here? Because where you're born is where you're from. Them need to stop it. These are the same children that supported his business over the wall.

So why is it that people are have a hard time getting claims from social security?? But yet they find it easy to lend the national bank $15 million but poor people have to be back and forth for a lil sick benefit just to be told that their payment is not up to date since hurricane Irma!!!! So what about all the other years people have been paying social security without ever put in a claim shouldn’t those money be put aside in times like these????? All over there is disadvantage in the BVI it seems Irma did not soften a lot off people in power hearts but god is watching my people , he is!

Mr Jaspert I know you are a frequent reader of these blogs. I hope you are digesting this, see the hate???. I must say, expats are not illegal but they are treated so... they pay their dues to stay here and everday they are ridiculed for any and sometimes all mishaps the local encounter.
Why provide a service , enjoy the money then condemned people for using it??????. I hope the Her Majesty the Queen take this country back soon. obviously these incompetent Beeps.... are only thieves and whiny babies

Expatriates somehow assume tortola is the only place to create a better standard of life and they are so wrong in fact what's so nice about serving a nation all your life but only get full documents when your about to die and you need these documents to make any significant improvement all I'll say there is more shade the more you go in the forest I can testify

I am not certain, but is it not an agreement between experts and their host country that they return to their country if they become a ward of that country. Isn't this why folks must prove that they have means to remain in the country. Just asking.

In the wake of his memorial, and if we must have this discussion today and unless it’s progressive like the Minister Hodge, we disrespect him by being again right back where he started.

How about home schooling and adopting a “we are all in this together “ approach; the same people you send out are the same people who came in to assist. BVI Beware - there is s price for being unkind to children so be Kind - the people you meet on your way up are the people you meet on the way down. Don’t you foreget about these children if God wanted them elsewhere- they would not be in the BVI.

The other narrative may be they are there so you can toss them out,justifiably, so they can realize their potential elsewhere: there’s an old cloud that stays over Bethlehem (oops a star over BVI) in the aftermath and clean up of not just Irma! A narrative of constructive eviction in an attempt for social correctness in an “island-people cleanse” hints at nativist preferences - tried and failed. Are we next inline with having our/UK counterparts and/or own conversation on immigration.? But first, can we look around our own families and backyards and hospitals, and borders; to see who will leave and what will be the criteria for exodus? The truth is many like to deny others the privilege they quickly grab. Children don’t choose their parents. Most don’t decide with their parents to take or not to take, to born or not to born, to stay or not to stay; and are personal choices and these parents choose the BVI for better or for worse for their families. But divorce is a personal choice whilst eviction one might argue is forced and fought.

Whether forced or voluntary, Migration is survival oriented and is not just for the Bird’s! Last time I check it’s an opportunity that any of us can say “We born here, we ain’t going nowhere that is, until we have to. Only then do we grip each other tightly or did we not during the storm?

Perhaps it’s time to have an honest conversation - If UK children took over the BVI where would all children go? intuitively, when the landlord wants his building back you move! Once we adopt policies for others they can later be instrumental to serve or rule for or against ourselves -for good or evil as well Our critical moment needs a humane solution that is not selfserving but more inclusive for the children; switching schools is has pitfalls and maybe difficult for some children and families.

How about a Parliamentary Act - a bill to protect school children to honor Hon Omar W Hodge Act for him for the people and by the people he loved - For the BVI !

How about all expats leave? Then see who will do all the work belongers don’t want (or can’t) do. See how fast your recovery will be then. Enough of treating expats as 2nd class citizens. They pay more than their fare share.

What a sad discussion...rather unfortunate to see such hatred and discrimination...in the face of some many outsiders who have come to our aid in the midst of the countries' turmoil. Yes, there are bad apples from outside, but we have our own as well. When will we learn, my people. Not good at all.

Amen to that!!!!!!! As I say all the time they NAR GO HOME.... (ADVANTAGE NEVER DONE!!!! THEY WILL RIDE OUR COUNTRY TIL WE HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE ANYONE) I KNOW HOME IS HOME FOR ME AND I AM NOT AFRAID TO BE HERE. HOW MUCH OF AH YOU CAN SAY THAT LOL!!!

All who are not local, I would love to see all pack and go, then we will see what will become of this place. Flood and hurricane really brings out what's really in people's heart here. More than half of the students here are from down islands right now. Locals already sent most of their kids away and a lot of the locals didn't even stay here to rebuild...What in God's name need people wants us to do more? Why other governments even bothered to send food and helpers Herr to rebuild? They should have really let it be the way it was and we would have seen what's going on here. Everyone should pack and go and I guarantee you that no one will left here but a handful of their own people. Gosh this place needs to wake up. Locals are really heartless people.

Dawson and thè rest of you Tola who think the same about Expats, all you set of ungrateful, like fowls that ate and wipè their mouth in the ground.
Expats make this place what it is b4 irma, allow you and other 2 live in big houses drive fancy cars we paid you loans at the bank.

Okay, let say all of us Expats go now,this place would be nothing, all you ungrateful tola, check u selves, Jah just sent us all a sign..earth doesnt beongs 2 none of us..watch out

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